Going on to shortlist is a real boost
by WIN Admin — published in Press Releases
A BUZZ and a morale boost across the business is how Jill Roe describes being shortlisted in last year's North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
Ms Roe, manager of photography business Digitalab in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, competed in the Innovation through Technology category after being put forward by her colleague Jeff Heads.
“The lab manager Jeff nominated me. I was gobsmacked. It was an absolute surprise,” she said.
“We’d never as a business done anything like that before. In the last two years, we have introduced new ways of working, new systems and a new online ordering system. This was our way of saying ‘yes, it’s working’.”
Since taking over as head of the family-run Digitalab, Ms Roe has overseen a major shake-up which allowed the business to grow by more than a quarter during the recession.
Ms Roe has worked there for 13 years and spent her university years as a van driver for the company. After completing her education, she worked on producing photographic digital prints before stepping up to running the business.
The company, which was set up in 1949, employs 10 staff working on photographic printing, exhibition and banner stands. The whole team went to last year’s awards ceremony.
“I was a bit disappointed not to win but to be shortlisted was great,” said Ms Roe.
“I am so proud of what I have achieved and especially to be recognised at the ceremony, it was a great buzz for myself and the staff.
“Everyone at work had a bit of a buzz about it and it was good for morale. We have the certificate in reception and it is a talking point when customers come in.”
The brightest and best businesses run by women in the North East are being urged to enter the region’s top awards for female entrepreneurs.
The Women Into the Network (WIN)’s North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, now in their 11th year, are kicking off across the region with a series of lunchtime events over the next week.
Any woman who operates or owns an enterprise in the North East can enter. Women can nominate themselves or be put forward by a friend or colleague.
The closing date for entries is 5pm on September 18. Entries will be shortlisted on September 28 and the presentation and dinner are on November 19. To enter visit www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk/awards
Categories for the 2010 awards are:
The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship
Best New Business
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Best Small Business
Best Social Enterprise
Best Creative Business
Best Home-Based Business
Best Use of Technology
Best Rural Business
Best Retail Business.